Monogram 1/72 Curtiss F11C-2 Goshawk

MONOGRAM 1:72 CURTISS F11C-2 GOSHAWK

Reviewer: Richard Stracey (rec.models.scale)
Kit Review submitted: 12 June 2003

Kit Details:

MONOGRAM # 6796 1/72 -- CURTISS F11C-2 GOSHAWK (CURTISS MODEL 64A)

Aircraft History:

The Hawk range of military aircraft can trace their development back to the Curtiss racers of the early post WW1 era. Mainly used by the Army, they also saw service with the Marines and Navy and were exported in relatively large numbers. Only twenty eight F11C-2’s were produced, No. 9269 being converted to an XF11C-3 and the others being delivered to the USS Saratoga in Feb. 1933 for service with VF-1B “High Hats”. In March 1934 they were re designated BFC-2’s and the Squadron became VB2-B and later VB3-B, still serving on the Saratoga till Feb. 1938. The Goshawk had a wingspan of 31’ 6” and a length of 22’ 6” and was powered by a 9 cyl. 700 hp Wright Cyclone R1820 and armed with two .30 cal Browning machine guns and either a 50 US gal. fuel tank or one 500 lb bomb.

The Kit:

This classic kit of a classic aircraft dates from 1968 and comprises of just twenty six parts including a pilot and stand. With so few parts, instructions are hardly necessary so those supplied are quite adequate. Decals for on aircraft are supplied. It is closely related to Monogram’s Army P-6E Hawk (# 6794).

Construction:

Other than the simplicity of the kit the one feature that is most noticeable is the fine surface detail. The only clue to the age of the kit is the lack of any cockpit detail other than a dashboard decal. As this is considerably larger than the blank dashboard under part # 4, I mounted it on a bit of plascard, cut it out and glued it to the kit part. As I didn’t have any cockpit details to help scratch build the interior I used the pilot to” plug the hole”. Well, that’s my excuse anyway! The whole process is simplified by the fact that the cabane struts and undercarriage are one with the fuselage. Thus everything automatically lines up and when the time comes to add the top wing, all one has to do is to drop it onto the cabane struts, wait for the glue to dry and snap the interplane N struts into their locating holes. I did replace the aileron linkages (20) with finer brass wire. As usual with bi planes, it is best to leave the top wing off till all painting and decaling has been completed.

Painting & Finishing:

The colours are typical of this era with all tail surfaces red, top of the upper wing chrome yellow (Testors 1707 or Humbrol 188), white cowling and light grey (Humbrol 147?) fuselage with all other wing surfaces and the fabric sides of the fuselage doped aluminium. The red tail surfaces signifies the Squadron, after 1937 it identified the carrier. The decals, as with all Monogram decals of this age are glossy and appear rather thick. I replaced the national insignia as all the red centres were off register. If I did this kit again I would paint the white fuselage band and “V” on the upper wing rather than use the decals. The matt black wing walk ways and the small panels near the centre rear of the top wing are not supplied but proved no problem to cut them from scrap decal film. Rigging is difficult to see in photographs but as far as I can see there is a single landing wire from the rear cabane strut to the front interplane N strut and two double flying wires from the top of the interplane N struts to the wing root. There are also two wires in a “V” from the fin to the stabilisers.

Reference:

Considering that so few Goshawks were made and that they had such a limited lifespan they get quite a few mentions. The best being Profile # 116, “The Curtiss Navy Hawks” and the Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Aircraft V6 p.1239.

Conclusion:

What a delightful little kit! Even a novice could make a good job of it and as only one Squadron used them one doesn’t lie awake at night trying to decide what colour scheme to decorate it in. Come on Revell – Monogram, or whatever you call yourselves today, how about re releasing these “gems” for a new generation of modellers to enjoy?

RHS/73

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